🇱🇰 President Dissanayake Launches National Anti-Drug Campaign: ‘The Whole Nation Together’
President Anura Kumara Dissanayake announced that “I and my government are ready to fight against the drug menace,” highlighting that 64% of those sentenced to prison are linked to drug-related charges.
The national operation against drugs, themed ‘The Whole Nation Together’ (‘Ratama Ekata’ in Sinhala), was officially inaugurated today (Thursday) under the President’s patronage at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
A powerful people’s movement will be established to eliminate the drug threat, with an appeal for drug addicts and dealers to cease their illicit activities.
The President stressed that the government and the Police Department alone cannot curb the drug menace. “Everyone must unite to eradicate this destructive threat.”
He issued a stern warning, stating that police officers who aid drug trafficking “must step aside, or we will remove them.”
A National Action Centre will be established to prevent drug trafficking, involving the Police, Military, Customs, Immigration and Emigration Department, Motor Traffic Department, and Intelligence Services.
Implementation and Participation
National Steering Council: The Cabinet approved the President’s proposal for the ‘The Whole Nation Together’ National Monitoring Project, aimed at completely eradicating drug use from the country.
A National Steering Council was recommended and subsequently established to implement this project, holding its first meeting on the 17th at the Presidential Secretariat under the President’s leadership.
The National Steering Council will focus on:
Dismantling drug networks.
Rehabilitating drug addicts.
Securing public cooperation for drug eradication.
Raising public awareness.
Coordinating public institutions and media monitoring.
Inauguration Participants: The national program’s launch was attended by religious leaders, public security committees, police, the Tri-Forces, and foreign ambassadors, signifying a broad national commitment.
